Helicopter Crashes in Central London

2 deaths confirmed after chopper hits crane

(Newser)
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At least two people were killed when a helicopter crashed into a crane at the top of a skyscraper in central London during rush hour today. The helicopter "plummeted straight into the ground," a witness tells the BBC. "The building the helicopter hit is shrouded in mist." Video footage shot by witnesses shows a street just south of the River Thames blocked by wreckage and burning fuel. Offices around the site of the accident are being evacuated because the crane is now in a "precarious position," the Guardian reports.

Emergency vehicles approach the site of a helicopter crash in central London. A crane on the side of St. George's Tower, in background, is damaged.
(AP Photo / Sarah Grun, PA)

A general view of the scene shortly after a helicopter crashed in the Vauxhall area of central London.
(AP Photo / Toby Scott, PA)

Debris lies on the ground after a helicopter crashed into a construction crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo/ Lewis Whyld/PA)

Debris lies on the ground after a helicopter crashed into a construction crane on top of St George's Wharf tower building, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo/ Lewis Whyld/PA)

People look at the St. George Wharf Tower with part of the construction crane missing after a helicopter crashed into it, in London, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo/Sang Tan)

In this overhead view showing smoke and flames at the site of a helicopter crash in central London, as people gather shortly after the crash, early Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo / Victor Jimenez, PA)

Smoke billows from the scene following a helicopter crash in central London, after it hit a crane on St. George's Tower building in central London, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo/Max James Tolhurst, PA)

A line of flaming debris shortly after a helicopter crash in central London, early Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo / Nic Walker)

A line of flaming debris shortly after a helicopter crash in central London, early Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo / Nic Walker)

A view of the damaged crane on top of St Georges Tower near where a helicopter crashed in central London, Wednesday. Jan. 16, 2013.
(AP Photo/Nick Ansell/PA)

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